SAINT FOR THE MONTH
Feast: February 8
(1869-1947)
Mother Josephine Bakhita was born in
Sudan in 1869 and died in Schio (Vicenza) in 1947. This African
flower, who knew the anguish of kidnapping and slavery, bloomed
marvelously in Italy, in response to GOD's grace, with the
Daughters of Charity.
In Schio (Vicenza), where she spent
many years of her life, everyone still calls her “our Black
Mother”. The process for the cause of Canonization began 12 years
after her death and on December 1, 1978 the Church proclaimed the
Decree of the heroic practice of all virtues.
Bakhita was not the name she received
from her parents at birth. The frightening and the terrible
experiences she went through made her forget the name she was given
by her parents. Bakhita, which means “fortunate”, was the name
given to her by her kidnappers. Sold and resold in the markets of
El Obeid and of Khartoum, she experienced the humiliations and
sufferings of slavery, both physical and moral.
After several months in the
catechumenate, Bakhita received the sacraments of Christian
initiation and was given the new name, Josephine. It was January 9,
1890. She did not know how to express her joy that day. Her big and
expressive eyes sparkled, revealing deep emotions. From then on,
she was often seen kissing the baptismal font and saying: “Here, I
became a daughter of GOD!” With each new day, she became more aware
of who this GOD was, whom she now knew and loved, who had led her
to Him through mysterious ways, holding her by the hand. When Mrs.
Michieli returned from Africa to take back her daughter and
Bakhita, the latter, with unusual firmness and courage, expressed
her desire to remain with the Canossian Sisters and to serve that
GOD who had shown her so many proofs of His love. The young
African, who by then had come of age, enjoyed the freedom of choice
which the Italian law ensured.
Bakhita remained in the catechumenate
where she experienced the call to be a religious, and to give
herself to the Lord in the Institute of St. Magdalene of Canossa.
On December 8, 1896 Josephine Bakhita was consecrated forever to
GOD whom she called with the sweet expression “the Master!” For
another 50 years, this humble Daughter of Charity, a true witness
of the love of GOD, lived in the community in Schio, engaged in
various services: cooking, sewing, embroidery and attending to the
door.
Her humility, her
simplicity and her constant smile won the hearts of all the
citizens. Her sisters in the community esteemed her for her
inalterable sweet nature, her exquisite goodness and her deep
desire to make the Lord known. “Be good, love the Lord, pray for
those who do not know Him. What a great grace it is to know GOD!”
As she grew older she experienced long, painful years of sickness.
Mother Bakhita continued to witness to faith, goodness and
Christian hope. To those who visited her and asked how she was, she
would respond with a smile: “As the Master desires.”
During her agony, she re-lived the
terrible days of her slavery and more then once she begged the
nurse who assisted her: “Please, loosen the chains... they are
heavy!” It was Mary Most Holy who freed her from all pain. Her last
words were: “Our Lady! Our Lady!” and her final smile testified to
her encounter with the Mother of the Lord. Mother Bakhita breathed
her last on February 8, 1947 at the Canossian Convent, Schio,
surrounded by the Sisters. A crowd quickly gathered at the Convent
to have a last look at their “Mother Moretta” and to ask for her
protection from heaven. The fame of her sanctity has spread to all
the continents and many are those who receive graces through her
intercession.